Back-to-back for the Garnet and Black!

A short 365 days ago, we were celebrating the Gamecocks' first national title in baseball. The last at bat at Rosenblatt Stadium was a walk off hit by Whit Merrifield to score Scott Wingo and clinch the 2010 CWS. All that was finally starting to set in. But that was last year's amazing story.

Whit Merrifield singles to right field to score Scott Wingo in the 2010 CWS

Enter 2011. The Gamecocks have to deal with the departure of ace pitchers Blake Cooper and Sam Dyson as well as the aforementioned Whit Merrifield. While this team did return players like Jackie Bradley Jr., Adrian Morales, and Scott Wingo, the road to the 2011 College World Series was not a particularly easy one.

Before the season began, pitcher Nolan Belcher was lost for the season due to tommy johns surgery. That bad news came with a little good news as catcher Brady Thomas was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. Throughout the season, the team dealt with numerous other injuries. Jackie Bradley (wrist), Adam Matthews (hamstring), Evan Marzilli (intermittent rapid heartbeat). All these issues forced the Gamecocks to jockey positions during the year to deal with the frequent loss of players. However, it was the loss of Jackie Bradley in late April where the team developed the mantra "win anyway," and the most famous...battle.

The Gamecocks won every series in 2011, except Ole Miss. They racked up a 20-8 conference record. In a normal year, that would be an SEC title, but Florida and Vanderbilt joined Carolina on their title pedestal after also reaching 20-8 marks (USC won the series against UF and Vandy, so we know who are the real champs). Similar to 2010, the Gamecocks quickly exited the SEC Tournament. After winning their first game against Auburn, the Gamecocks were chased out with consecutive losses to Vandy and Georgia.

Fortunately, unlike last year, the Gamecocks were already in a good position to lock up a national seed in the NCAA tournament as a result of their spectacular regular season record (45-14). USC knocked out Georgia Southern and Stetson (twice) to move on to the Super Regional. For a moment, it looked as if it could be USC vs. Clemson - what would have been an emotionally charged Super Regional. But after losing the lead and dropping a game to the UConn Huskies, the Tigers lost a second consecutive game, thereby ending their season and sending the Huskies to Columbia.

Concerns swirled over the Gamecocks facing the red-hot Huskies squad. With deceivingly not-close scores of 5-1 and 8-2, USC sent UConn packing after two games. South Carolina was Omaha bound for a second consecutive year.

Like last year...I spent much of the College World Series at the USC Summer Music Camp. The Gamecocks won their first opening College World Series game since 1977. After an error filled first inning, USC cooled down and beat the Texas A&M Aggies 5-4 with a walk off hit by none other than the eventual "Most Outstanding Player," Scott Wingo. The Gamecocks made easy work of the Virginia Cavaliers two days later, beating them 7-1. Thankfully, music camp was over by Friday so I was able to get a few more grey hairs watching the 13 inning, 3-2 thriller over UVA which sent USC back to the championship series.

As reward for beating Virginia, South Carolina earned a date with Florida, one of the top teams entering the 2011 season, let alone the College World Series. To sum up the Gators, last years Friday starter for Florida, is(was) now a midweek starter. Yeah.

Pitchers dueled for many innings as UF held a 1-0 lead for the majority of game one. In the eighth, USC tied it up at 1 each. This game was defined again by heroic play from numerous players. There was Jake Williams, the left-fielder with admittedly the weakest arm of the outfield, launching a ball back to home plate for Robert Beary to tag out Cody Dent. And Scott Wingo, not once, but twice diving on a ball to throw back to home and get out the lead runner. All these things happened in a bases loaded, do or die situation. USC knocked off Florida to win game one 2-1 in 11 innings. Oh wait, do you know how USC scored that second run? Christian Walker, who fractured his hamate bone in his last at bat versus UVA on Friday, strolled in to home after two consecutive Florida throwing errors. For most of the day it appeared as if Christian was done and wouldn't play again this season.

On three days rest, ace Michael Roth took the mound on Tuesday. He threw 7 2/3 innings, only allowing one run. For my hair color and heart health, I am glad this game ended in nine innings with a final tally of 5-2.

Gamecocks dog-pile after beating the Gators 5-2, winning the 2011 CWS

Some of the record breaking stats to come out of this College World Series:

• The Gamecocks were the first team to go10-0 in an NCAA tournament and the first to go undefeated in the tournament since Miami went 9-0 in 2001
• Carolina has won 16 straight NCAA tournament games, which breaks the record of 15 set by Texas in 1983-84.
• With the previous new record, comes another. Carolina has won 11 straight CWS games (6 in 2010 and 5 in 2011), which breaks the record of 10 held by S.Cal (1972-74) and LSU (1996-98).

When Carolina left Omaha last year, Ray Tanner had the bus drivers take a detour. They drove to the site of the new ballpark. Ray Tanner wanted his players to see the new home of the College World Series, and instill in them a desire and a hunger to continue winning. He didn't want them to get complacent. Always improve. Who legitimately thought that the Gamecocks would be back in this position in 2011 - closing Rosenblatt and opening TD Ameritrade - breaking records and fielding another great TEAM.

WIN ANYWAY - Go Gamecocks! 

Here is a collection of links covering the Gamecocks 2nd National Title:

• Omaha Falls in Love with South Carolina - Ryan McGee, ESPN
• ESPN Game 2 recap
• ESPN CWS Game 2 Video Recap
• Celebration Just as Sweet Second Time Around - Diamond Leung, ESPN
• Collection of in-game tweets, The Columbia Sun
• Gamecocks Repeat History - Kendall Rogers, Perfect Game
• Collection of CWS articles - Travis Haney, Charleston Post and Courier
• Gamecocks Dominate Florida - Aaron Fitt, Baseball America
• USC Completes Historic Sweep - Neil White, The State
• CWS Notes - Ron Morris & Neil White, The State
• USC Wills Itself to Championship - Ron Morris, The State
• Roth's Journey Just Beginning - Joe Lemire, SI.com
• South Carolina Tops Florida Again - AP, NCAA.com
• The Right Decision at the Right Time - Ron Morris, The State
• SEC's Multi-Sport Dynasty Can't Be Ignored - Jon Solomon, The Birmingham News
• Gamecocks' Repeat Caps Another Stellar Sports Year for the SEC - Dennis Dodd, CBS Sports
• Top 25 from 2011 - David Cloninger, GamecockCentral.com

And now Cocky...In the Air Tonight

New Jobs and Opportunities!

I can't believe that the year is almost half over! We have some great stuff to look forward to in the second half of the year such as a week long beach vacation and more time to travel and visit family and friends (see the next paragraph)

Biggest news right now is Katie is moving on to a new job! That's right, she finished her last day at Airport High School and on Monday, she will take over at USC Campus Recreation as the Membership Services Coordinator. So if you are a USC staff member or alumni - get your gym memberships from Katie!

Also on tap is a new, exciting program for all young professionals in the Midlands area! This fall will be the inaugural year of the Notables of the SC Phil (South Carolina Philharmonic). The basic mission of the Notables is to get more young professionals interested in the SC Philharmonic. In exchange for a small membership fee, Notables members will have the ability to buy half off subscriptions to the Philharmonic, as well as lower cost tickets to other non-concert events. Some of those events include the Oktoberfest (a beergarten before the October concert complete with beer and brats) and the annual Gala. We will also have various networking/social opportunities before and after concerts at some local establishments. For more info, watch scphilharmonic.com, or just follow @NotablesSCPhil on twitter and Notables of the SC Phil on Facebook.

Praise the Lord - tax season is over!

I suppose it is time to come out of my four month, tax season induced hibernation.

Last weekend, to celebrate the end of tax season, Katie took me to Atlanta for a Braves game. Obviously, I am a Nationals fan, but since I live in the southeast now, I can appreciate the Braves as well (just not when they are playing the Nats).

We arrived around 11:30 and stopped by the Atlanta Underground mall first for some lunch. After perusing the options, we chose the "Georgia Peach." It is an interesting restaurant - actually located in the basement of a building in the Underground. So, under the Underground. By the name you would assume they serve traditional southern food, and you would be correct. The food was fine, just not worth the price.

One of my former roommates lives in Atlanta now, so he stopped in and ate lunch with us. It was great to see him and catch up on everything happening in his life.

Since we had a little extra time to kill between lunch and the game, where else would we go but the CNN Center?  Katie wanted to get a Braves shirt for the game so we went to the clubhouse store. They always have a good selection of items, but she couldn't locate anything she really liked. We did manage to find a little Gamecock vandalism in the CNN Center (see below).

Nick in front of the giant CNN

Gamecock sticker on a sign in the CNN Center - Go Gamecocks!

We finally made it over to the park about an hour before first pitch. Katie bought us some great seats in the outfield. We were three rows above the fence. I was wearing some Carolina gear, so of course I received a little friendly questioning from some of the park ushers about what is going on with the Gamecocks and Stephen Garcia. Don't know, bud. Don't know.

Katie and I in our seats at the park. Go Braves? Yea, beat the Mets.

I love the Nationals short ball park tradition of the running of the Presidents. I guess this is the Braves version...sponsored by Home Depot...power tools? I think this sends the wrong message to kids, you shouldn't run with tools. But here they are, a saw, paint brush, hammer and drill.  The drill had a sad, flaccid nose piece. Best part was when the unsuspecting saw was completely wiped out by a dirty push from behind by the paint brush. Good, family, slapstick entertainment.

The saw is in the lead, but his lead is about to be cut. Pun intended.

 A new feature to Turner Field is this Chick Fil A cow on top of the outfield. I say new...he wasn't there the last time I was (2007?). He has a little robotic arm that does the Florida State Seminole chop.

Kinda creepy, isn't it?

So the Braves ended up winning, twice (double header). We were not there for the second game as we were driving back to Columbia. All in all, a nice trip to Atlanta to celebrate the end of what felt like an endless tax season.

Later this week, a quick preview of the upcoming SC Philharmonic concert on Saturday April 30th. If you have the means, you should get a ticket to this concert. Selections include Mars and Jupiter from The Planets by Gustav Holst and Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz.

Outfield of the old Fulton County Field in the parking lot

SC Philharmonic presents "Beethoven & Blue Jeans"

It has been a couple months since I have been to a South Carolina Philharmonic concert. I last attended the concert on October 16, 2010. Gamecock fans will recall that is the night we lost to Kentucky after throttling Alabama the week before. As the concert started, I knew we were going into halftime with a good lead. Shortly into the concert, I received a text from a friend notifying me that Marcus Lattimore was likely out for the remainder of the game. From there came a string of disappointing messages, the last of which came during the final piece and just read "We lost..." Being the completely superstitious fan that I am, and wanting to see the entirety of the Florida game in case it was awesome, I stayed home during the next concert.

It is a New Year though! I am excited to hear the SC Phil present the Beethoven "Eroica" Symphony on Saturday. In high school, my music endeavors led me through more jazz oriented experiences rather than classical, so I have been busy this year catching myself up on some of the great classical literature.

"Eroica" is Italian for "Heroic." Initially, Beethoven wanted to dedicate the piece to Napoleon Bonaparte. However, in the Spring of 1804 as Beethoven was composing the piece, he became angry when Napoleon declared himself Emperor of France. Beethoven's assistant, Ferdinand Reis, wrote in his biography of Beethoven that he was the first to tell Beethoven of what Napoleon had done and upon hearing the news, Beethoven took the symphony manuscript and tore off the top of the page with the title. The first page was subsequently recopied and named "Sinfonia Eroica." The first public performance of the work was in April 1805 in Vienna's Theater an der Wien.

Symphony Eroica received mixed reviews when it was first premiered but it is now thought to have ushered in the Romantic Period of the Nineteenth century.

So come on over to the Koger Center in Columbia tomorrow night, Saturday January 15, and enjoy the SC Philharmonic present Beethoven's Symphony Eroica as well as Mozart's Overture to Don Giovanni and a premier of Osvaldo Golijov's "Sidereus."

Columbia Snow Day!

Happy Snow Day to all who were fortunate to have had today off! And if you had today off, there is probably a good chance you have tomorrow off as well. I stayed home today - although hours missed now only mean more worked this weekend. I did manage to drink a fair amount of coffee as well as watch Inception. However, the snow kept me from returning the movie, so I have to incur a second charge from the Red Box.

Today was the official announcement for the USC Face of Y'all competition. Unfortunately, I was not among the two finalists selected, but I am glad to have made it into the final round. Congratulations to Hilary Dyer and Krystal Owens on being selected. Thanks everyone for their support and votes through process. I really appreciate it. Better luck next year!

This snow day post would just not be complete without a few winter wonderland pictures of our neighborhood. 

Down the street, very slushy.

Self-portrait in front of the house.

I will have to cut this blog post off now. I am watching the BCS National Title game, so each moment I look away there is a good chance something awesome may happen. I have already seen a surprise two point conversion, a safety and three or four interceptions. 

Also - less than 36 days until Carolina Baseball starts!

Man Cave Developments

Taking a break from this evening's sports broadcasts to write up a quick blog post. But first off...how about those Gamecocks!?  Down to Vanderbilt in basketball as much as 14 points during the game, the Cocks storm back, force overtime and seal victory over the Commodores. Sam Muldrow had the second triple double (16 points, 14 rebounds, 10 blocks) in USC history! I think that puts Sam only 30-some blocks away from the school record. Don't have season tickets this year, but games like this always make it tempting to buy a few!

On to what I was planning on posting about, the man cave.

We have been in our house for about a year and a half now. I am very excited that this is the first year I haven't had to move after living in one place for 12 months. That said, it has been taking awhile to really get settled. Most everything is in its place, but the man cave has still been missing some pieces. The space is a little small. One day it would be nice to have a man cave where it is possible to have a huge TV, perhaps a bar? For now, I will be happy with what I have, and will outfit it as needed.

With the purchase of new living room furniture last November, I was able to move the old love seat to the man cave. I was also able to get some garnet window treatments up on the windows this past week. I actually had everything I needed for that project except the hardware to hang the bar, which cost me $.50 at Wal-mart.

Without further ado, a few photos of the abode...

A few Carolina Band vinyls I was able to score when we cleaned out the old old band hall in 2006.

Area for all the instruments. Nice to be able to get the trumpets all set up in the same spot.

A wider shot showing the window treatments, trumpets as well as a nice framed set of newspaper prints from the Gamecocks 2010 College World Series title.

 

One last wide show showing the room. A great space in which to spend time.

I hope to keep upgrades going in the future. There is no TV in here right now, and still some homeless books and other things. All part of getting settled into the house.

Branching out

In the coming weeks, I am going to take a more serious step into blogging. I have been inspired recently by a few folks I know who are doing the same.  It appears that I will maintain this blog as my personal space - ya know, to write more about personal stuff, the fun things that the Annans are up to, and all that jazz.  I am thinking of starting two other blogs (specifically, more may arrive later) which directly relate to some of my interests.  Along the way I suppose I will develop some kind of style, hopefully interesting to read, but we will find out. I will put out a larger announcement once I get these going.

As I proofread that last paragraph, I noticed that I said "I am going to try," or some variation upon that at least twice. I am not going to try these things. I am going to do these things. Success or failure may occur along the way, but I am going to do these things.  How's about that?

Til then, Happy New Year once again. Got some resolutions?

To be quite blunt, I do not believe in New Year's resolutions. In my opinion, that is why so many people fail at NEW YEAR'S resolutions. If it is that important, if it is worth your time an effort to improve some aspect of your life, why wait until a specific point in time to begin changing? Improvement is an ongoing battle; a constant, flowing thing. There is always something to be changed for the better, so do it now!

In the spirit of resolutions, I resolve to DO more and TRY less.

 Victory for me and the Gamecocks.